Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler Xyroadia
Most of the mega mansions of the turn of the century were built in a "compartmentalized" layout. With doors everywhere between rooms. There were very few 'open' doorways. Almost every passage between rooms would have a door or slidding door.
The reason for this of course was to close off rooms you were not using at the time to save heat. I remember long ago reading a story that, during one very cold winter, the Vanderbilts lived in just about six rooms of their massive New York mansion, and had the rest of the house shut off.
Also I have made a Discovery!
I came across the floor plans to Bishops Palace in Galveston! Not really a gilded age mansion, but one of my long life personal favorties. Should be able to post it on lunch break today. |
You couldn't technically "save heat" back then. Houses were always losing energy. They were just always burning coal, wood, whatever. These sources were always readily available regardless of level of wealth.